[Results of systematic preventive treatment with argon laser after idiopathic retinal detachment]

Incidence of spontaneous second retinal detachment ranged from 10 to 19%. We reported a retrospective study of 527 rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. At the end of this study 302 second eyes with an average follow up of 46 months have been analysed. 205 second eyes were treated systematically by 360 degrees equatorial Argon Laser Photocoagulation (ALP) completed by four anterior radial rows independently of evidence or lack of peripheral retinal degenerations or retinal breaks. The incidence of bilateral retinal detachment decreased from 11 to 2.4% when systematical prophylactic treatment has been applied. After prophylactic treatment, no complications could be certainly attribute to ALP. This study contributed to ascertain safety and effectiveness of systematical prophylactic treatment by ALP.